I have an interview tomorrow morning and I am really feeling under the weather. They are hiring a group of people and I am pretty sure that more interview dates are available for next week. Is there any way that I can gracefully request a change of date for my interview without appearing irresponsible? if i go I know that Ii will not be 100% since I am sick. Thanks!
2007-02-08 04:17:28 · 6 answers · asked by Michelle R 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Thanks for all of the great answers. I made it to the interview this morning and ended up doing really well. I am so glad that I didn't postpone. I had one huge sneezing fit but it was when I was alone in the office so no one even knew that I wasn't feeling well. Thank you all!
2007-02-09 07:15:32 · update #1
Hi, I'm in HR. If you have the flu, are sick to your stomach and can't make the trip without getting sick, call and explain that you have a flu virus with really bad timing and hope sincerely that they can see you another day. If you're coughing and your nose is running all over the interviewer they aren't going to be happy. But, If you have a cold and are just feeling under the weather, you should go. As long as you can take some cold medicine and look presentable and speak clearly, you should go. If you are genuinely too sick, that's ok, but you better be really sick to run the risk.
2007-02-08 04:55:45 · answer #1 · answered by hrland 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With all due respect, if they are hiring a "group of people" it's probably safe for me to assume that this isn't a high-level position. In entry-level or mid-career level positions, it is not good to reschedule. Even in a situation like death in the family, severe flu, or car accident, the interviewer may sympathize, but since they don't know you well, they really won't care enough to postpone their hiring schedule for your benefit. Employers have no loyalty to interview candidates at all. You are nothing more than a name on a list, a resume in a stack. Even if the interviewer reassures you that it's okay, they will likely move forward without you. This is especially true in the case of hiring in groups. Keep in mind that if they are hiring a group of folks, they most likely have a greater pool of candidates to pull from.
It probably won't hurt to ask them, but personally, I would press my way.
Last year, I spent 4 months interviewing for positions, and for about a two week period in which I had 3 interviews lined up, I was quite ill with the flu. I was very careful not to spread any germs, politely declining to shake hands and visibly using hand-sanitizer as soon as I took my seat, and any time I coughed. The interviewers always appreciated that I pressed my way despite illness, and it showed them that I'm determined, hard-working, dependable, and reliable.
I also had a fender-bender last year that made me about 5-7 minutes late for an interview. I am 100% certain that I was most qualified for that job, and would've had it if I had arrived to my interview on time. The interviewer was quite gracious about it, but in the end, she didn't extend an offer, and I'm sure that's why.
Obviously, if you have something contagious, you would do well to try to reschedule and hope for the best.
If you have a cold or flu, my best recommendation to you is to load up on Day Quil all day today, and take some Theraflu tonight. More DayQuil in the morning before the interview, and you should feel a lot better.
2007-02-08 04:32:26 · answer #2 · answered by itslarue 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, it's pretty common to have a panel interview. That's where you are interviewed by more than one person, and the panel decides if you will get the job or not. The problem is when you have to have multiple interviews because members of the panel aren't there, like in your case. Really, I would just be consistent. If you said something in the first interview, stick with it in this one. (Not that you would lie or anything, just try not to make a better impression by exaggerating or bringing up something that wasn't brought up in the first one.) If you didn't bring it up in the first interview, bringing it up now might be seen as trying too hard, or lieing or even wondering why you didn't think enough about it to bring it up originally. They will compare notes. Just be consistent in what you say. Dress nice, speak well (lay off the slang). This is a rare opportunity to get a second chance to make a good first impression. I think you did well by asking for a business card. It sounds like you're prepared, just sort of anxious about a "second interview" for a fitting room job. No worries, it was their problem, not yours. Just be professional, arrive about 15 minutes early, dress nice, be consistent, and I'm sure you'll do well.
2016-05-24 06:54:23 · answer #3 · answered by Mary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way. You don't go, might as well never show up. Think of it this way: You feeling under the weather and you still go, shows determination and a "go get it" attitude they surely will appreciate. At least if they see you sick, maybe a rescheduling would be possible without any negative effects on your all important first impression. Good luck!
2007-02-08 04:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by mitch_depp 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is not a good idea, the only way an employer will not look at that bad is if you have a real emergency, like a death or family member in the hospital. Anything else will make them not want to hire you. And also at that point they could have gotten all the employees that they need.
2007-02-08 04:27:39 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should give them a call, explain your situation and tell them you want them to see you at your best. If they react even somewhat negatively, you can expect that kind of business practice from them if you work there. Good luck!
2007-02-08 04:22:34 · answer #6 · answered by tombollocks 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋